Gustavsen retires as county treasurer

Published 5:54 pm, Monday, July 1, 2013

Bob Gustavsen , left, and his wife, Martha, share a moment during Martha Gustavsen’s retirement party Friday as Montgomery County Treasurer. She had been with the county for more than 26 years.

Bob Gustavsen , left, and his wife, Martha, share a moment during Martha Gustavsen’s retirement party Friday as Montgomery County Treasurer. She had been with the county for more than 26 years.

Gustavsen retires as county treasurer

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

More than than 26 years of looking after the public’s money, Martha Gustaven decided it was time for a change of pace.

Given a resounding sendoff Friday by her peers, Gustavsen, 72, retired Friday as the Montgomery County Treasurer.

Although her current term doesn’t expire until December 2014, she decided now was the time to relax. That includes trips with her husband, Bob, tending to her garden, and increasing time with her three child, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

“”I’m going to enjoy my free time,” she said.

Gustavsen has witnessed remarkable changes as treasurer. When she started in 1986, Montgomery County had well fewer than 1,000 employees and financial investments less than $6 million.

Today, county employment is 2,000 with investments in excess of $200 million. In 2002, Gustavsen was named the Outstanding County Treasurer of Texas.

“Martha has been an excellent steward of the county’s money,” County Judge Alan B. Sadler said.

In addition to investing county funds, Gustavsen’s duties as County Treasurer featured handling accounts payable, processing all jury funds, and compile fees and fines that must be reported to the state comptroller’s office.

Betty Graham, assistant County Treasurer for the past 26 years, said Gustavsen has treated her coworkers as family through the decades.

Stephanne Laviolette was hired as Gustavsen’s successor after spending six years as payroll supervisor.